Essex cricketer Dan Thomas will make use of his recent international experience with the England Learning Disability team to try and get his hands on yet another trophy in the upcoming disability national league final against Hampshire.

It is the first time the Essex team, which also includes fellow England players Matt Cowdery and Ronnie Jackson, has reached this stage of the competition after losing out in the semi-finals last year.

Thomas, Cowdery and Jackson were part of the unbeaten England squad in the INAS Learning Disability Tri-Series, which saw the team take on Australia and South Africa in 40-over and T20 matches in July.

Now, 22-year-old Thomas, who also plays and coaches cricket at Saffron Walden CC, is ready to use the lessons learnt in international matches to help his county team go all the way in the final on September 10.

“It’s the first time Essex have reached the final in their history so I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

“Hopefully me, Matt and Ronnie can use our experience and what we’ve learnt playing big games for England to help us with Essex and help our teammates.

“It’s been a lot of hard work to reach the final, because we were knocked out in the semi-finals last year and our aim was to go one better this year.

“There would be a big sense of achievement if we won because it’s been a long-term goal for us.”

It was the left-arm spinner’s second appearance in the INAS Learning Disability series as Thomas was selected to travel to Australia where he was also victorious with England in 2015.

The 2017 Tri-Series, supported by NatWest, took place at club grounds across Cheshire in July and England were champions in both formats, as well as winning the overall Tri-Series for a third time – they were also victorious in 2011.

“The series went really well, I was playing with different players and playing against different players, which was a new challenge,” Thomas added.

“The England set-up has been stable for two years now, we prepared well so we knew what to expect and we did lots of winter training.

“It’s also improved me a lot as a coach because now I have a better understanding player development.”

To find out more about disability cricket or to follow the England Learning Disability squad’s progress please visit ecb.co.uk